HS Boys’ Basketball: Keating hits 2,000 as Nativity rolls past Marian
Nativity's Trey Keating surpassed the 2,000th career points milestone during a Schuylkill League Division II game atop Lawton's Hill against Marian. Keating scored a game-high 35 points as the Hilltoppers ousted the Colts 65-46 (Photo by Eli Doyle).
POTTSVILLE — It was the kind of milestone that felt both inevitable and unforgettable.
Trey Keating poured in a game-high 35 points Friday night to lead Nativity past Marian 65-46 in a Schuylkill League Division II boys’ basketball game atop Lawton’s Hill, while becoming just the third boys’ basketball player in league history to reach 2,000 career points while playing all four high school seasons in the league.
“He’s an ambassador, not only for the program but the school,” Nativity coach Brady Burke said of Keating. “I mean, he’s just a great kid on and off the court. He does everything you want and ask for. He is a tireless worker, great in the community — just an all-around great kid.”
Keating entered the night needing 18 points to reach the mark and crossed it midway through the game in fitting fashion. Points No. 1,999 and 2,000 came on a smooth pull-up jumper from between the free-throw line and the top of the key, setting off a roar from the Nativity bench and crowd.
From there, the senior took full control.
Keating scored from all three levels, knocking down four 3-pointers and finishing with 15 field goals as Nativity steadily pulled away over the final two quarters. The Hilltoppers outscored Marian 38-27 in the second half, turning a tight game into a comfortable win.
“We really bought into team basketball — that’s something we always preach,” Burke said. “I felt like we put it together for a full 32:00, which is something we don’t always do, but we’re striving toward. The team basketball was really good. George Shimko had a couple offensive rebounds and kick-outs in the paint. He had an offensive rebound kick-out for a three, then followed another one up with a paint touch and kick-out. That’s just unselfishness — the winning plays that we need.”
Nativity’s recent surge has been just as impressive as the milestone itself.
Since Christmas, the Hilltoppers’ only loss has come against red-hot Class 3A Minersville (14-1). Nativity’s now notched two significant wins this week over league playoff contenders Schuylkill Haven and Marian, firmly establishing itself as a dangerous postseason team, eager to make some noise.
Jake Bowman added six points for Nativity, while Jake Swartz chipped in nine on three 3-pointers. Nick Clarke scored eight as the Hilltoppers spread the floor around their star scorer.
Marian was led by Jacob De La Cruz with 13 points, while Justin De La Cruz added nine and Gregory Tirpak finished with 10.
The Colts kept pace here-and-there but couldn’t match Nativity’s efficiency and tempo after halftime.
Keating’s accomplishment places him in rare company across the league and district.
He joins Dave Delenick of St. Clair (1969-73), who finished with 2,018 career points, and Bob Felty of Tri-Valley (1990-94), the league’s all-time leading scorer with 2,419. Local research shows Felty also remains the commonwealth’s career leader in 3-pointers with 348, while it also shows just 10 players statewide who have surpassed 300.
Across District 11, Keating becomes one of only eight players to reach the 2,000-point plateau. His name has long been etched into the record books, including a dazzling freshman campaign with 93 made 3-pointers in the season alone.
On a night defined by history, Keating did what he’s done throughout his career — led with confidence, composure and shot-making — as Nativity continues to gain momentum when it matters most.
“Early on, a lot of it was that we’re a new coaching staff implementing a new system, not only on the defensive end but on the offensive end,” Burke said. “A lot of the terminology is new to these guys. We have to get used to them; they have to get used to us.
“I always talk about coaching high school like patching a leaky ship. You patch one hole, another one bursts open. You’re constantly plugging holes. Eventually, hopefully, at the end of the season your boat is still floating.
“We’re starting to put it together, but the job is not done. I told our guys from now until the end of the season we just have to keep getting 10 percent better. It’s not near a finished product in year one. It’s day by day — we just have to keep getting better.”
Game Summary
At Nativity
Nativity 65, Marian 46
MARIAN (46) — Shigo 0 0-0 0, Tom 1 1-1 3, Nunez 3 0-2 7, Paulino 1 0-0 2, Ju. De La Cruz 4 1-2 9, Ja. De La Cruz 6 0-2 13, Da. Rodino 0 0-0 0, Do. Rodino 0 0-0 0, Tirpak 4 2-3 10, Knock 0 0-0 0, Cannon 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 4-10 46.
NATIVITY (65) — Clarke 4 0-0 8, Bowman 2 0-0 6, Pasker 0 1-2 1, Lutzkanin 1 0-0 3, Swartz 3 0-0 9, Bartashus 0 0-0 0, Kalkiewicz 0 0-0 0, Uhrin 0 0-0 0, Holley 0 0-0 0, Keating 15 1-1 35, Werez 0 0-0 0, Shimko 0 0-0 0, McDonald 1 0-0 3. Totals 26 2-3 65.
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar (7-8, 4-5) | 9 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 46 |
| Nat (7-8, 6-3) | 15 | 12 | 19 | 19 | 65 |
